10 Amazing Anti-Aging Tips That Won't Break The Bank

*I've partnered with Citrus Clear to Promote young fresh skin! All opinions are my own.

A few weeks ago, on my thirty-seventh birthday, I looked in the mirror and noticed every line, sun spot, imperfection and pore. By the time I was finished throwing my, I'm-so-old-pity-party, I was nearly in tears and ready to throw in the towel on ever being able to feel young and pretty again.
Thankfully, after a glass of wine and a phone call to a bestie about how old and ugly I was, I ended the pity party, and faced the true cold reality of thirty-seven; if I don't change my diet and beauty regimen, I'm going to look like a California Raisin by forty. Which, IS NOT AN OPTION!
So, I turned to Dr. Google for advice. I Googled ways to 'look youthful without surgery', 'Ways to reverse aging', 'How to stay young forever' and every other way I could think of to say, Help, I don't want to look like I'm 80 when I'm 40! What in the world did we do before Google?!

First and foremost, one of the most amazing and inspirational things I found was a photo of a 75 year old woman. An absolutely stunning and fit, seventy-five year old woman, Ernestine Shepherd, the World Record holder for 'Oldest Female Body Builder'.

Um.
Holy crap.
There's no other way about it, she is amazing, inspirational and absolutely gorgeous. Ernestine is a body builder and active personal trainer, and should be the poster child for, "What's Your Excuse?"
Sorry, I digress, but I just had to share the fuel that propelled me on my quest for eternal youth. Without further ado, 10 Amazing Anti-Aging Tips That Won't Break The Bank:1. Stay hydrated. Every single site and famous person's, "beauty secret", says drink copious amounts of water, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and limit caffeine. Every expert agrees, the cheapest, fastest and most effective 'fountain of youth' is water. According to Atlanta Dermatologist, Kenneth Ellner, MD, "Dehydration makes your skin look more dry and wrinkled, which can be improved with proper hydration." If you want to keep your skin healthy and glowing, drink water. Lots of it.
Tip: Buy a super cute water bottle that you love, and keep it with you at all times. 2. It's all in the "Essence".Essences work like a toner, but without alcohol, so instead of cleansing or stripping the skin with alcohol, it hydrates with a humectant. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, says, "Essences soften dead skin cells on the stratum corneum, so anything you put on top penetrates the skin more effectively."

$56

Tip: Use Essence under serums for an extra hydrating or anti-aging punch without feeling it on your skin. 3. Serums are saviors. Did you know:By 30, many people have pigmentation under the skin that's not yet visible to the naked eye? According to Zoe Draelos, a consulting professor of dermatology at Duke University, it's true. But good news, he says, "Treating spots before you see them can keep them from surfacing."Using a serum or cream with brightening ingredients, like vitamin C or soy, each morning can make your skin radiant in about one month! Expert tip: If your skin is sensitive, try a formula with niacin amide instead, which calms redness while brightening.4. Pump up the Peptides. Peptides, one of dermatologists' favorite anti-aging ingredients, signal skin cells to produce more collagen. A.k.a the stuff that makes your skin firmer, smoother, dewy, and all-around younger-looking. Tip: If you have under eye circles, then peptides are going to be your secret weapon, they can make under eye circles less noticeable by thickening collagen!

5. Draw out the dirt. Pampering yourself with a weekly face mask creates instant results. In the summer I have oily acne-prone skin. To draw out the dirt and oils, I always turn to a clay mask to draw out stubborn blackheads and leave pores cleanand teeny tiny! Right now, I'm obsessed with Citrus Clear Clay Pore and Blackhead Extracting Mask.

5. Moisturize. Fun Fact: Your moisturizer works as a physical barrier to 'lock' in moisture. Not putting on moisturizer is like sending your skin into a battle without weapons. NO BUENO! 6. Slather on sunscreen. Fun Fact: Ninety percent of fine lines are caused by sun exposure, which makes sunscreen the ultimate anti-ager. Doris Day, a dermatologist in New York City, says slather on sunscree to "keep skin better hydrated, since UV rays also damage ceramides."Ceramics: good fats in the skin that prevent dryness Personal Tip: I use a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. Meaning, I slather on moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup in one easy step! I definitely recommend that. I like a little extra coverage, so I LOVE Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

7. Peel the years away. Buffered glycolic acid and retinol rapidly improve the look and texture of skin by removing buildup of dry skin, smoothing out fine lines, improving discoloration and also helping to trigger collagen production.

The Tangerine Tingle Face Scrub ($19) can be used as a face wash or a face mask. The longer you leave it on the more it tingles! The tingling action is from the ingredients in the scrub doing two things: (1) removing dead skin cells (2) stimulating production in new, fresh skin cells.Contains gentle exfoliating ingredients to remove oil, dirt, and impurities. Contains glycolic acid which exfoliates dead skin cells and keeps pores from clogging. Lemon oil helps improve and brighten complexion. Buy it now, here. (for $5 off Use code "tan4814")

8. SLEEP! It should come as no surprise that WebMd Says:

"Your body needs down time to repair cells and rest your heart. And your mind needsdreaming to stay sane." There's no doubt, when I don't get enough sleep I look extra old and tired.

9. Eat your Vitamin A. Experts say fruits like watermelon and mangoes and veggies like spinach and sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A and to help repair skin cells.

10.Omega-3 is Key. Fun Fact: Your skin uses omega fatty acids to create natural moisturizing oils. "Studies show that omega-3 supplements have the greatest effect on hydration," says Jessica Wu, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. And if that's not enough, A study published in the journal, Alzheimer’s and Dementia, known as the MIDAS study, found that taking Omega-3 DHA supplements took three years off the brain, improving memory and learning skills. Researchers believe it may also reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Good news, You can pick up Omega-3 Supplements in your grocery store for under $10!

Do you have a super awesome instant anti-aging tip? Please please please share!

April is an award-winning writer, blogger and proud debut novelist - The Devlyn Disguise. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more about April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com